Martin Odegaard remains injured as the midfielder continues to struggle with fitness issues that have affected his availability for several weeks this season, and he is set to miss Arsenal’s match against Sporting Club.
The midfielder started the first leg of the tie and was in excellent form as the Gunners secured a late 1-0 victory to take a lead back to North London in the Champions League.
Arsenal injury update ahead of Sporting Club fixture
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According to [NRK](https://www.nrk.no/sport/fotball/), Odegaard has still not returned to training with the rest of his teammates, and the midfielder is a doubt for the match between Arsenal and the Portuguese side as both clubs aim to reach the Champions League semi-final.
His absence comes at a crucial stage of the season, with Arsenal needing their key players available for such an important European fixture at a time when consistency is vital for their European ambitions.
The Gunners now face uncertainty in midfield selection as they prepare for a demanding second leg away from home, particularly given the intensity of knockout football at this stage, making squad rotation decisions more challenging for the manager.
Implications for Mikel Arteta’s side in Europe
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Arsenal have been favourites for much of the season, but their inconsistent form across competitions in recent weeks means Sporting Club may sense an opportunity to cause an upset.
The Portuguese side will have studied Arsenal’s weaknesses, including their recent defeat to Bournemouth, and will look to exploit any instability in the squad and will aim to test Arsenal defensively.
However, despite Odegaard’s absence, the Gunners remain a strong side, and they will still believe they have the quality required to progress to the next round.